Vintage Tuesday: Mad Men Fashion
January 27, 2010
I’ve just finished season 2 of Mad Men. While I could go on and on about how very little has changed in the ad industry since the 60s but this post is all about the fashion. Oh my – I wanna watch that whole season all over again just for the clothes. Is it just me or was there so much more effort put into appearances in the 60s? I’m the kinda girl who has to warn hairdressers that I will never be able to achieve the “styling” that their haircuts require. I don’t wear make-up often. This used be smiled upon as going natural… sadly now I think a little spack filler and concealer would go a long way!
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Anyway, I came across this 1961 Women’s Weekly Dressmaking special with Lucille Rivers. It struck me just how much attention to detail individual figures got and how amazing the tailoring was back then. Now we just tend to wear our “size” in whatever we pick up off the rack. Back then they used to adjust patterns – this booklet details how to adjust for a “flat derrier”, “large pelvic bones” and a “high abdomen” amongst every other alteration you can imagine. Incredible.
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There is but one giggle in this Vintage Tuesday – Lucille Rivers endorses “Bri-Nylon”…
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“BRI-NYLON…. easy washing… quick drying….
no ironing… plus, of course, the glamor of
Australia’s own top-quality Nylon”
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Oh the glamor! I can’t wait for season 3!
PS: Sorry I’m a day late… can we call it fashionably late?
Hello. My name is Claire. I have a sock toy addiction. It began two years ago when I was pregnant and nesting. At first I dismissed it. I hadn't sewn in years. "Craft Schmaft" I said. Well it seems this crafty thing is here to stay. This blog brings you the delights of making sock softies, fabric finds and crafty inspiration from round the interweb.
January 27, 2010 at 7:19 PM
huge mad men fan! Mind you my nana had to tell me about the show before I tuned in! love love love the fashions!
corrie:)
January 28, 2010 at 9:13 AM
Corrie you must have one cool nana!
January 27, 2010 at 7:38 PM
Love those fashions! I haven’t seen the show but my sisters is a huge fan and often goes to Mad Men parties. She’s building up quite a wardrobe of vintage dresses and accesories.
So, are you tempted to whip one of those patterns up while you are in the batcave?
January 28, 2010 at 9:13 AM
Madmen parties?? Oh my word, what a fantastic idea. I am very inspired to get sewing although I have to say the tailoring terrifies me!
January 27, 2010 at 7:46 PM
I’m with you on the can’t style my hair and don’t wear make-up… life’s too short! I would love to sew better and attempt to make clothes as off the peg stuff rarely fits me properly!
January 28, 2010 at 9:13 AM
Oh me too Tracey!
January 27, 2010 at 9:38 PM
How I agree! There was definitely more effort put into getting dressed for the day. Although life is hectic today, perhaps we can slow down and recapture that effort!
Nice blog, glad to have found you!
January 28, 2010 at 9:43 AM
You’re so right, it’s all about time! Thanks for your comment, what gorgeous dresses you have on your site.
January 28, 2010 at 5:22 AM
Joan is lucky to be “living” in the 60′s! With that bombshell figure she needs all the tailoring she can get. Nowdays she’d slap on something from Old Navy and look like she was smuggling a cow under her shirt. I have a Joan type body also, but am not so lucky with the tailoring. I need to learn to make clothes.
Can’t wait for this season of Mad Men! Watch out for lawnmowers everybody!
January 28, 2010 at 5:49 PM
Wow wee, what a find!! I watched seasons 1 & 2 in a blurry haze of the new year (they were a Christmas gift from my husband) i just couldn’t stop watching, who was Don going to trip over & fall into bed with next?? Love the fashion, Joan, simply divine, but how did they cope with all that polyester?? Can’t resist Betty, oh, so beautiful. I’m a bit of a let down too, simple hair, no make up, i work alone, keep things basic as i have a bloody busy life!! really, is the Ad world still the same?? Is every Ad Exec’s wife now freaking out?? Love Posie
January 29, 2010 at 11:48 AM
Oh yes… I’m afraid the ad world really is still the same – although there’s distinctly less polyester than in the 60s.
January 29, 2010 at 4:26 PM
Gorgeous clothes, and I totally agree about the fashion, so much more glam and feminine! I am like you at the hair dresser “I don’t ‘do’ my hair so please make it low maintenance!”
February 23, 2010 at 12:02 AM
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